Barin - The uncle "FiL" in Canada!!

2006-08-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

Paintball - Capture the flag

BBQ at Olivia's - Chicken Hearts were delicious !

At last...

2006-08-06T00:26:00.000-07:00

Tim(frenchie), Martin(dutch) and me - Athena's birthday at Vicious Circle Lounge 04.2006

Me, Alexandra(Chile) and David(mexican) - Brazilian Culture night 06.2006

Dave(Chilean Canadian), Cassia, Melissa(Brazuca), Me and Peter(australian) - Heading to Brazil x Australia match. World Cup 2006

At the Drum & Monkey Pub - dutch hat

Vacation in Kelowna - British Columbia - Canada Day 01.07.2006

Beautiful sunday at the Lake sundance - @ BBQ

My brand new guitar

Rafting - I'd say floating in the bow river

Hiking

Stampede Park

Calgary Update

2006-06-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I know I know.... It's been a long time since my last post in this blog. So, I 've decided to restart writing to you.

What have I been doing since last April 24th? Brazilian Party, Cassia's arrival, Hiking, Picnic, world cup, etc.

After a few months waiting away from her, Cassia took off on 11th of June and landed in Calgary for valentine's day. I was very excited! Bought some flowers and a few gifts and went to the airport to give her a big missing hug!!!

A week after we had the Brazilian culture night. That was a blast! Cassia brought so many things for this party, too many sweets, juices, cake, Polenta, Pop corn, Brigadeiro, Caipirinha, chimarrao, folders, balloons, music, ... It was awesome!!

Last weekend we had a picnic at Prince's Island Park during the afternoon. The weather has been awesome, very warm and beautiful!! Of course, before this weather two weeks ago, there was a lot of raining every day , and we even had hail! But crazy hail! I've never seen frozen rain as big as those ones!! Anyways, the picnic got together lots of people, and we played soccer, Frisbee, rack sack, ...enjoyed the weather...

On Sunday we went for hiking in Kananaskis. Hiking is awesome! We went up to the top of the mountain at 400m high. It was a long walk about 1h 25min. But when you get there it's amazing! The landscape is so beautiful!

Regarding world cup, it's been an interesting experience watching the games in another country! Well, as you can imagine, Canada isn't a soccer country, and most people don't care about it or even don't know that Brazil won five world cups in total! Actually to tell you the truth I had to explain some rules like how many minutes each half lasts, how it works, the points, how can you pass through the next round, ...Anyways, we've been watching some games at a Pub where Brazilians get together and in my case, sometimes, I have to watch in my work, in a little mini screen in my computer, at least I can see the game!! But something is very nice in here. In my circle of friends, we watched the game Brazil x Australia and my roommate is an AUSSIE. Then we got Ghana and my friend Olivia is from Ghana, fight fight fight, we beat them!!! And now we'll play France, and my friend Tim is a frenchie! So, it's so fun and crazy watching those matches with people from each country, true feelings, and intense emotions on it!!!

GO FLAMES GO

2006-04-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Hockey, Comedy Cave and work

It’s getting very warm in Calgary; And sometimes we turn in Flames!!!! Last two weeks have been very excited about hockey playoffs!!

Stuck in the elevator
The weather has been great, so every weekend we are usually playing street hockey in a tennis court very near to my apartment. It’s really fun!! It’s like when we play indoor soccer in Brazil once or twice a week!! One day though, we were heading down to play hockey, and when we left my apartment and took the lift, someone had the brilliant childish idea of jumping! And the unexpected happened! Suddenly the elevator made a noise, stopped and something fell from the roof! We got stuck in the elevator for a few minutes! We tried to call the landlord, pressed the emergency button but nothing, no one answered!! Fortunately, I tried to open the door manually and it worked out! We finally could leave from there and play our hockey game! It was funny later!!

Hockey Playoffs
The playoffs just started and Calgary Flames are in! So, when Flames are playing in Playoffs it means the city gets crazier then never!! And it’s contagious!! Actually, I wasn’t big fan of hockey until two weeks ago, but during these games I can even watch the whole game, scream, vibe, and before I notice it two or three hours flowed by. It’s like Gremio playing!! But there’s something very cultural, Canadian, “Calgarian”!!! The first round of playoffs just started, so there’s a long pathway to get to the finals!! To pass to the second round, it’s like basketball; they have seven games to play against each other, so you should win four times to beat it! But even still, every game it’s like the final, it’s important! After the first one, last Friday, we went to 17th AVE, which is the avenue where everyone goes to celebrate the victory!! It’s amazing! They call it Red Mile!! I got into the mood and I was enjoying flames first win! First game 8000 people celebrating! I wish I could describe how this feeling is, how flames is Calgary! But I’m sure I’m feeling like a Canadian, I’m definitely supporting Flames!! No wonder I’m buying my jersey as soon as possible this week!! Go Flames Go!!! Yesterday, we had the second match but Calgary lost. Tomorrow will be the third. Let’s go Flames!!

Me and Tim

Me, Goodyear and Sean

People celebrating Flames win at 17AVE !

Comedy Cave

Last Saturday, I went to a comedy club. It was my first time in a live comedy show. There were two presentations basically…one with two guys improvising and another one a comedian telling stories, making fun and so on. It wasn’t hilarious, but it was very fun, a good place to go from time to time to laugh some!!!

Dynetek
I haven’t been writing about my work so far, but most because it sucks talking about work when there’s such things much more fun to tell! But I’ll tell ya a little bit how it’s going…
It’s been almost three months already. The pace of work is slow. I’ve been talking to my friends and they say that usually it’s like this. But at the same time, I’m working in a engineering company, it’s quite slow but very organized. And slow, doesn’t mean people don’t work, there’s a lot of things to do, but culturally is different then our way somehow. I’m working in a few projects involving Hydrogen. For those who don’t know, Dynetek is a leader in developing, producing lightweight Compressed natural gas (CNG) and compressed hydrogen cylinders and complete systems. Dynetek is also a leader in the industrial gas and energy sectors in the bulk transport and storage of compressed gases. So, to make it simple, I’m working basically in one project involving components of a hydrogen system and another project involving the bulk transportation.
I have a lot to learn about those systems, it’s really interesting. The company is a medium size company and it’s growing pretty fast. I still don’t know my plan or company’s plan for the next months after my contract ends. I hope my job remains good and gets better and better!

Hockey Weekend !

2006-04-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hockey and Caipirinha

Last Saturday we decided to watch a Calgary Flames game in our apartment. Usually we go out to a Pub. And to enjoy the game, we ordered Pizza, had beer, and I was in charge of making the Caipirinha.
Everyone in Calgary is crazy about hockey, they love Calgary Flames. I believe it is one of the best teams in Canada for sure. And by the way, flames jersey is really nice!! I wonder if I’ll buy mine very soon. Well, so last Saturday they played against Vancouver for the NHL – national Hockey league. You may think the national hockey league is a Canadian league, but it’s not. The NHL includes teams from USA, so it makes the league much more competitive! I don’t know all the rules yet and I’m not a big fan of Hockey, but it’s very interesting, fast and the fights along the game are one of the best parts!!!

Back to our private party while watching the game, I prepared some Caipirinha and it was very very good! Although I didn’t use my cachaca this time, I bought polish vodka and that was perfect! After finishing the game and no Caipirinha left, we had a few shots in a traditional polish way!!

Dave, Goodyear, Sean, Me, Tanya and Jessye!

Watching the hockey game in my apartment

So, the game was over, Flames lost but we were willing to go to a Pub and enjoy the night. We headed to a Pub called the ship (I think so), when something extraordinary happened while we were in line.

There was a freak guy being pulled out of the bar by the staff, screaming, trying to fight against another “punk guy”. Wow, the guy seemed to be very high, the staff people almost couldn’t stop him, and they were hitting him on his head, face,.., trying to make the guy cool down, but the crazy guy didn’t stop it! By then I believe the staff called the police. During this time we had a camera and we started taking a move of it! The police was really fast, it took about 3 minutes and at least three police cars got there…sirens light, transit interrupted, everyone watching the scene, and then the police men were kicking the guy to stop him, and nothing, as I said, the guy was freaking out, then the police officers had tasers and they used them on him. Finally the guy was powerless. At this time, we were making the movie and even a chopper (helicopter) showed up!! Light shows, everyone screaming, excited of what was happening!! There were many police men, and I forgot to describe something. When the police arrived, the second guy, got quiet, smooth, but when the freak one woke up again, he started trying to fight again against the other one, and this one, stupidly in front of the officers, jumped over him and of course, in short, the police used the taser once again, and both were arrested. What a crazy thing! Pretty hard stuff! And I got a movie of it! After all, we ended up getting inside the pub.

Hitmen and street hockey

Yesterday, Sunday 9th, we went to the Saddledome to watch a Hitmen game. What is a Hitmen game? It’s like a second division of hockey. It was my first real hockey game in a big stadium! It’s amazing! It’s like a show place! I would say that it’s just like those American basketball games, where you don’t pay only to watch the game, they want you to feel the flutter, there’s much more involved in it! It’s a show with music, television, promotions, food, show room, and other stuff. Really worth going!

Hitmen hockey game

Light show before the game starts!

Afterwards, our group of big hockey fans went to a tennis court to play what they call street hockey. They usually appreciate playing outside, especially when it’s warm during summer! That’s what we did! We got the sticks, a tennis ball and played for 1h 30min. It’s tough, but fun! Fortunately nobody got injury! And by the way, I did lots of goals. Not to shabby for my first time!
What a great weekend!

GREMIO MAQUINA TRICOLOR EH CAMPEAO GAUCHO 2006!!!

Carta Aberta aos Brasileiros Interessados em Viver em Alberta, Canadá

2006-04-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Carta Aberta aos Brasileiros Interessados em Viver em Alberta, Canadápela Brazilian Community Association of Alberta
Em resposta a inúmeros emails e telefonemas que recebemos no último mês, e que continuam a chegar diariamente, resolvemos preparar esta carta a nossos conterrâneos que se dirigem a nós neste momento com um pedido de ajuda. Infelizmente não tivemos e não teremos condição de apresentar uma resposta indidualizada, mas tentaremos cobrir todos os pontos que parecem ser de interesse da maioria. Em primeiro lugar, cumpre ressaltar que a BCAAB desencoraja qualquer pessoa que venha se aventurar por aqui sem ter passado pelo processo existente para entrar no país de forma legal. Apesar de termos como nosso mandato oferecer apoio aos brasileiros recém-chegados, vemo-nos na obrigação de deixar claro que não nos envolveremos com qualquer brasileiro que pretenda vir ou mesmo venha para cá de forma ilegal. Temos recebido notícias de brasileiros em situação ilegal no Canadá, o que nos deixa preocupados com a situação de exploração e humilhação de nossos conterrâneos. As notícias falam de imigrantes ilegais obrigados a trabalhar em condições sub-humanas e com pagamento bem abaixo do mercado, além de estarem sempre lidando com a possibilidade de a qualquer hora serem descobertos e deportados, o que um dia acaba acontecendo. Além de tudo, ainda podem contribuir para uma visão negativa dos brasileiros em geral.

Também queremos esclarecer que a nossa associação foi formada com o objetivo de oferecer uma oportunidade de preservação da nossa cultura, e também pensando nas nossas gerações futuras. O nosso mandato também inclui a promoção da cultura brasileira junto a sociedade canadense. Tentamos, dentro do possível, oferecer apoio aos brasileiros recém-chegados. No entanto, nosso mandato não inclui assistência e/ou apoio a brasileiros com processo de imigração e mesmo de procura de emprego. Neste contexto, incluimos abaixo algumas informações que podem ser úteis a pessoas interessadas em imigrar para o Canadá, particularmente àquelas interessadas em morar na província de Alberta.No final de 2005 o governo de Alberta criou uma política provincial de imigração definindo uma meta de 24 mil imigrantes por ano. Atualmente 14 mil imigrantes vêm diretamente para Alberta e outros 2 mil vêm para cá depois de terem dado entrada em outra província. Alberta passa por uma fase de desenvolvimento econômico que leva a um aumento da necessidade de mão de obra em alguns setores. Mais informações a este respeito podem ser encontradas no site http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/main.asp .Neste contexto, existe um programa do governo da província do qual se valem empregadores daqui – que enfrentam dificuldades em obter mão-de-obra especializada. Por esse programa, empresas podem contratar estrangeiros que se qualifiquem para o trabalho, em caráter temporário, com um “working permit”. Esse programa chama-se Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Para participar desse programa, é necessário ter um emprego previamente arranjado com um empregador. Para maiores informações a este respeito, visite o site oficial deste programa clicando no seguinte link:http://www.alberta-Canada.com/pnp/
A maioria das pessoas que se encontram por aqui imigraram através do programa de “skilled worker”. Para tanto, passaram pelo processo regular estabelecido pelo governo, o qual começa por dar entrada com um formulário de inscrição para se tornar imigrante. Veja o link do governo canadense para as informações necessárias:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/how-1.htmlPara se ter uma idéia dos empregos existentes, pode-se fazer uma busca online através dos sites oficiais dos governos federal canadense e da província de Alberta:
Governo federal: http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/Search_en.asp Neste mesmo link existem outros links de agência de anúncios para busca de empregos.
Governo de Alberta: http://www.alberta-Canadá.com/jobs/index.cfm
O link abaixo foi preparado pelo governo para informar novos imigrantes chegando à província de Alberta:http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/immigration/services.aspNeste link tem muitas informações importantes, das quais ressaltamos e recomendamos que verifiquem os requisitos para poder exercer a sua profissão em Alberta:
"Certification and Registration Requirements for Employment in Alberta Certain occupations in Alberta require that the individual be certified or registered to be employed. Information on regulated occupations, including basic education, experience and examination requirements, and contact information for the regulatory organization is found athttp://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/certinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?format=html&aspAction=GetCERTHomePage&Page=CERTHome
"Trades or Designated OccupationsNew Albertans with a trade or designated occupation can find out about the requirements for working in Alberta by visiting www.tradesecrets.org."
Você também pode contatar o consulado do Canadá no Brasil, que é localizado em São Paulo, ou a embaixada em Brasilia: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/brazil/Também existem websites desenvolvidos com a finalidade de orientar pessoas interessadas em imigrar para o Canadá, e também grupos de discussão formados especificamente para propiciar uma oportunidade para troca de experiências e esclarecimentos de dúvidas. A seguir incluímos alguns para sua referência. Ressaltamos, no entanto, que estes links pertencem a pessoas e/ou organizações completamente desvinculadas da nossa entidade, e que não assumimos qualquer responsabilidade pela veracidade e autenticidade das informações veiculadas pelos mesmos. São fornecidos sem qualquer compromisso nosso, ficando a critério de cada um a decisão de visitá-los como também usar o próprio discernimento para identificar as informações que sejam úteis. Nestas circunstâncias, citamos o site "Rumo ao Canadá": http://elainechen1.tripod.com/id34.htmle o grupo de discussão - http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canadaimigration/Ter ou adquirir fluência na língua inglesa é requisito básico para qualquer um interessado em imigrar para as províncias do Canadá onde a língua falada é o inglês, como é o caso de Alberta.Abaixo incluimos um breve relato sobre a região de Alberta e de aspectos positivos e negativos da vida por aqui.

Brazilian Community Association of Albertawww.bcaab.org info@bcaab.org
Calgary, 4 de abril de 2006

To the Brazilians Interested in Living in Alberta / Canada

2006-04-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

To the Brazilians Interested in Living in Alberta
by the
Brazilian Community Association of Alberta

---- English Version ----

In attention to a number of emails, and phone calls we have been receiving in the past month, which are still arriving daily, we decided to write this letter to Brazilians who are asking us for help.

First of all, we, from the BCAAB, would like to highlight that we discourage anyone who intends to become an illegal immigrant in Canada, and particularly in Alberta. Although our mandate includes the provision of support for new comers, we would like to make it clear that we won’t be involved with Brazilians who are not here legally. We have received some news about Brazilians in Canada in illegal status, some even in humiliating conditions. Some stories bring concern in terms of their submission to lower than standard wages, as well as life conditions. Those are also under the continuous threat of being found and deported. In addition to exposing themselves to a condition that is not compatible with the idea of a better life, those are also contributing to a negative image of our countrymen as a whole.
We also would like to clarify that our association was formed with the mandate to offer an opportunity for Brazilians and Canadians friends of Brazil to get together and also to promote the Brazilian culture among Canadians. We try to offer support to new comers. However, our mandate does not include providing support for the immigration process, as well as help with finding employment. Having said that, we include below information that we think can be usefull to those interested in living in Alberta.
At the end of 2005 the Alberta government developed an immigration policy defining a goal of 24,000 new immigrants per year. Currently this number is around 14,000 coming directly to Alberta, plus 2,000 who come after arriving in another province. Alberta is going through an economical development phase resulting in an increased need of workers, especially in some sectors. More information regarding this regards can be found at: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/main.asp . In this context, a government program that has been in place for a while has been highlighted as an opportunity for foreign immigrants to attend this demand of work force, in situations where the worker is fully qualified for the job. This program is called Alberta Provincial Nominee Program [PNP]. This option is only available if the application form has a letter from an employer attached. A working permit is given on a temporary basis. More information can be obtained at: http://www.alberta-Canada.com/pnp/

Websites maintained by the Canadian government offer searchable links to jobs available, which can give an idea of the job market.

Canadian Federal government: http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/Search_en.asp

At the link above there are also links to job agencies.

Alberta Provincial government: http://www.alberta-Canada.com/jobs/index.cfm

In addition, the provincial government prepared a site to inform new immigrants to Alberta about important issues:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/immigration/services.asp

We recommend that the interest ones check the following in the above link:
“Certification and Registration Requirements for Employment in Alberta Certain occupations in Alberta require that the individual be certified or registered to be employed. Information on regulated occupations, including basic education, experience and examination requirements, and contact information for the regulatory organization is found on Certinfo"
"Trades or Designated Occupations:New Albertans with a trade or designated occupation can find out about the requirements for working in Alberta by visiting www.tradesecrets.org “

However, many Brazilians who immigrate to Alberta come as “skilled workers” and pass by the regular process established by the government, which begins with the application to become an immigrant at a Canadian Consulate. The information required for such application can be found at their website:

The Canadian Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil, also provides information about the process, and you can visit the website at the following link:

There are also websites developed with the objective to provide information to people interested in coming to Canada, as well as some to provide an environment for sharing of experiences, and to clarify questions. We are providing some of those for your reference, however, please be aware that we do not take responsibility for the accuracy of the information posted on those sites. Therefore, people checking those sites are expected to use their reasoning to decide which information applies to them. Under these conditions we cite:

Rumo ao Canada: http://elainechen1.tripod.com/id34.html

Discussion Forum: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canadaimigration/

Fluency in English is an expected skill, and those who don’t have it, should acquire it if they are thinking of coming to an English speaking province, such as Alberta.

We are including attached to this letter some general information about Alberta and living in Alberta from a perspective of the daily life compared with living in Brazil.

Brazilian Community Association of Alberta
www.bcaab.org
info@bcaab.org
Calgary, April 4th, 2006

Viver em Alberta
Edmonton is the capital of the province of Alberta, and is centrally located. With almost one million inhabitants and is the home of the provincial government offices. Calgary shares with Edmonton the status of more important cities in the province. It is of similar size and is the home of many company national headquarters, specially the ones in the oil business. Calgary and Edmonton are at approximately 3 hours drive apart. Edmonton is closer to the Jasper National Park, while Calgary is located more to the south and closer to Banff National Park and the beautiful and famous Lake Louise. Calgary is also close to the Kananaskis region where the movies Legends of the Fall (1994) and Brokeback Mountain (2005) where filmed.
Approximately 450 Brazilian families live in each city; Calgary and Edmonton.

More information related to economical development can be found at:
Edmonton:
http://www.edmonton.com/eedc/portal.asp?page=2

Calgary:http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/

Other smaller size cities in the province where there are Brazilians living in are: High River, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grand Praire, Sylvan Lake, Cochrane, Airdrie and more.
A comprehensive list of universities and colleges in Alberta can be found at the following link: http://www.uwaterloo.ca/canu/

Busy Weekend!

2006-03-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

AIESEC International Gala

Last Friday Aiesec Calgary hosted the 6th Annual International Gala. The International Gala is an annual celebration of the dedication and achievements of AIESEC Calgary’s members, alumni, and partners. This year, the International Gala was themed as a “Global Village” reception and included vibrant cultural performances as you can see in these photos.
It was really fun, nice environment, variety of food, and many people around talking about different cultures, and I was, of course, in charge of showing them our traditional CHIMARRAO!

Kent ( He was in India last year)

Iris, me and Blanka

SNOWBOARDING

Well, one week ago I went skiing at COP and as you’ve read I had fun but totally lost and out of control!! Definitely skiing is not my sport! So, before winter’s totally gone I got an invitation to try snowboarding last Saturday and that’s what I did.
Me, Alex and Dave. It was our first time. I rented the equipment and started the lessons. The beginning was ok; I was really scared because all we hear about snowboarding it's that's worst than skiing and that you’ll be sored after falling many times.
We practiced with the instructors for 2h and then we were able to go down hill by ourselves. I had a blast! It was so much fun!! I was really happy that I could control my balance and do it!! It’s so much better than ski or ice-skating even though you fall thousands of times more!!! If I were a Canadian I’d say I would be a big fan of snowboarding!! AWESOME!! I wish I could go more and practice!! We’ll see! By the way, I’m so sored, my butt, hands, my feet…all muscles hurt!! But it’s ok!! I loved it!!

Carnaval and Ski

2006-03-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

THE BRAZILIAN PARTY
This weekend was really fun. I got better from my flu and I was feeling able to go out. Last Saturday we had the official Brazilian carnival in Calgary. So, I went with my friends Dave, Athena, her brother, Angela, Melissa and Sean. Well, I believe more than half of people there were Brazilians and everyone was speaking Portuguese. That’s kind of strange for me. We watch a capoeira presentation, which was AWESOME! And a Brazilian band played lots of samba and axe just like our carnival! The funniest thing was seeing the Canadians a bit shocked with our songs and the way of dance. As you Brazilians know, we just jump, and walk around, do crazy things and some girls of course can samba very well but…afterwards they got into the rhythm and started dancing and jumping around!! It was a typical Brazilian carnival club taking place in Canada! Really fun!

SKIING AT CANADA OLYMPIC PARK
On Sunday I decided to go to COP – Canada Olympic Park, where the Olympic games took place in 1988. Well, my first time skiing. I loved it! I had some lessons from the instructor and i realized it’s not that easy! During the training I simply fell down in front of the instructor. And you know, it’s really hard to get up!
My first attempt down hill I went so fast, I had no idea it would be like that but fortunately I stopped and a relief breath came out!! Ufa! I’m alive!
But when I went to the ramp to go up for one more trial the stupidest thing happened! One leg got on and another got out of the ramp. Inevitably, I fell again. I was being dragged up with my ski and with my legs up on the air. It was embarrassing!! They had to stop the ramp to help me out! Well, Brazilians don’t give up right!! And there I was again! I did the same thing, went down fast but I was good!! Excited I just wanted to go again, but this time I wanted to make a movie with my camera! So, I went up carefully and down again, fast as a rocket! But I did it very well! The instructor had just told me he was worried about me, cause I was going very fast and because i I was going to kill myself if i didn't learn to how to stop very well specially going fast . So, he advised me to traine by myself the basics of stop and turn over! I was tired that time, so I did what he said and I was done! Oh, about the movie, something happened and it didn’t recorded. So, a few minutes later, 20min to be exactly, my friends encouraged me to go again and make my movie. Well, there I was again. I went up and alone, without the instructor guy. I was really thinking to myself: what the hell am I doing here??? And I started going down…As you may imagine, I was going faster and faster and I didn’t know how to stop, and I was about to crash into something, and I couldn’t help it so fell on snow again…that’s it! Recorded for life memories!! First and perhaps last time skiing!!
I don’t regret! It was AWESOME!!! I loved it! Really fun!

Eldon and me
...Good to go!

Mexican Party

2006-03-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

Mexican food

Hello everybody!

I've been ill for two weeks already... i can't wait for the summer!!! I was pretty much sored and 'cause of my sweetheart Cassia's insistence i called my health insurance and they scheduled an appointment with the doctor. I have to say that i got really surprised with insurance service. They were really fast and easy. They booked the appointment for the same day. And called me back later. I didn't have to pay for anything. Perfect! Here it goes: World Plus Health insurance, i recommend it. So, the doctor said i have a flu and sinus infection. So, i'm taking some medicines to get better. But i just hate my sinus fucked up!!!

Anyways, last saturday i got bored of being alone and sick at home, so i decided to go to the mexican dinner party. It was great!!! I met lots of latins from mexico and chile. Everyone was speaking spanish and some of them had already visited Brazil... AWESOME party!

Diana and Messelina

Me and David

I think i was cold....

Canadian Culture

2006-03-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Alex, Athena and Sean !

David - The mexican and Alex - The britt
its good to be a Traineeeee!!!!

Athena, David and Godwin - crazy people, they are my friends!!!

Well fellows, after three weeks in Canada I’m starting to be angry about this cold. But as a part of the cultural experience I’m getting used to that. By the way, today is a beautiful day in Calgary. We have the “Chinook” today. Here goes the meaning of it:
Chinook, warm, dry air mass that descends the eastern slopes of the U.S. and Canadian Rocky Mts. after having lost moisture by condensation over the western slopes. Chinooks occur mainly in winter. They sometimes replace the cold continental air mass over the western plains, causing rapid melting of snow and temperature increases as great as 40°F (22°C) within a few hours. Similar winds occurring in the Alps and elsewhere are known as foehn winds. The term Chinook was originally applied by Oregon settlers to a moist Pacific wind blowing from the direction of a Chinook camp.
So, I just love Chinook!!
How night life works? They ask for everyone's ID. Less than 18years old, go to bed babe!! But sometimes, they just try to block you from getting in, then start asking you for five pieces of ID, or say that you cannot enter with white shoes, or no less than 25 years old ! That’s sucks, because sometimes you’re in a group and you got barred, chances are everyone has to go to other place because of the assholes!!! Beer is very very expensive! They rarely party before going out, like I was very used to do it in Poland, having those vodka shots!!! How about inside the nightclubs? It’s pretty cool, fashion, good music, but about their behavior: let’s talk in person. Usually they close at 3am and stop selling beers at 2am. It’s state law!
Snow.Oh snow. So beautiful!! But sometimes we don’t have only snow; we’ve got snow showers like rain! Really! I would like to use an umbrella! It bothers you a bit, but what you have to do is take your camera and record that!! Good memories of this North Country!!
Other thing I just realized too is that in Europe we usually visit so many churches, and I haven’t seen any church so far. They do have them, but it isn’t like in Europe: churches’ tour.
Some interesting facts that happened to me in Calgary, so take it as an advice when you think to visit any cold country in this earth and Canada:
1- If you walk more than 10min wearing only jeans, your legs will be frozen.
2- If you need to buy something and have to use your fingers, taking off the gloves, you’d better be quick, more than 15sec and your fingers start burning and it takes a few minutes to recover.
3- When it's snowing a lot, the traffic is terrible; it’s a mess on the roads so you can’t drive fast.
4- They usually clean the roads and the sidewalks, but then, if you park your car, you’d wish you had a 4x4WD when trying to get out of there.
5- Please, don’t do it like me, buy the appropriate boots otherwise you’re going to have to walk as you’ve shit on your pants.
6- And if you prefer not to look like a baby walking, watch out not to slide. If you do slip, try to fall on your ass. Got it?
7- Again, appropriate boots are a good idea; otherwise, your feet will freeze.

It’s amazing to be here, living this culture experience. It’s so magic to breathe north air, watch different people's lives. Canada is really an open country, various cultures and if you’re lucky to have the opportunity to visit it, work temporally or move to Canada, you won’t regret it.

First Week

2006-02-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

The city

I finally moved and now I’m living downtown. The city center is very interesting. Usually mostly buildings, commercial centers that are all connected which is useful during winter. The same happens with the buildings at the university.

One thing that is better here is that the streets in Calgary are identify by numbers. Therefore if you get lost, you easily can manage to reach your address. I live at 12th Ave with 2St SW. The main street is 8th Ave with Center Street. So as you can see the localization of my flat is quite good.

Ice-skating

This week I went ice-skating. I had tried once four years ago in Saskatoon, but that time I gave up because it was impossible to stay still. Actually I wasn’t confident enough, and that’s the secret.
But this time, I encouraged myself. Tony(a guy from Australia) and Athina were my teachers. We started standing in a circle..Imagine..So funny! Then, a few meters ahead I fell on ice. I almost gave up. Then I tried to slide using those frames, for beginners or kids. Well, that helped me a lot. I started to find my balance and I improved so much. I even run one lap without the frame. Oh, what a great experience! Perhaps, five more times and I’ll be a hundred percent self-confident and then…

Olympic Oval

Tony and I

Meeting old Friends

2006-02-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hello folks,

Sorry for my delay to upload more pictures, but I’m still without a computer at home, but I promise more pictures very soon.

As many of you probably know, I was in Saskatoon in 2002 and I made many friends there. And believe or not, Canada chases me,hehe(grinning). In Poland I was tremendously lucky when I discovered that Ali, a canadian friend I met in Victoria(Vancouver's Island), was there and we met many times in Warsaw. Now, I still have friends here, and living in Calgary. So, I made some phone calls and I’ve met Melissa Araujo, a Brazilian girl who's been living in Canada for more than 7 years and Cory Sutton, a Canadian friend, who is getting married in a couple of months. It was so “kurwa” cold that day but we went to Starbucks café and talked for hours. It was great!!! It’s so good to have friends around, people that you can trust and are so helpful at all times. Cory also lived in Porto Alegre three years ago, so I felt like home.

Me and Cory at his house.

First Pictures in Calgary

2006-02-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

My Arrival at the Calgary international Airport

Dynetek Company

My apartment, the living room!

View from the Calgary Tower!

OH CANADA ! Here We go again...

2006-02-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

Introduction

After my awesome cultural experience in Poland in 2005 I fortunately got another traineeship in Calgary, Canada. Before actually taking the flight, i went back to my hometown, Santa Maria, to be together with my family, and then went to Horizontina, Caxias do Sul, and to Paradise Beach (Praia Paraiso perto de Torres). Well, time has come to arrange my cases and say goodbye again to Brazil.

Arrival in Toronto

We landed in Canada at 6:45am and the temperature was -12C. My connection was in 1h 30min, so I had to be very fast. However, I was suprised with a huge queue at the customs. I waited till my turn came in, and finally I was able to pass through it. I was sent to the immigration desk though, which took me even more time. I was pretty late. I started to run to the belts to get my luggage, and i was praying for something bad haven't happened with them.
I won’t describe my sensation at that time, in short I was desperate. But I found my luggage and while i was running to the next terminal, I dispatched the bags and went to check in. I had to act like what we call our Brazilian way, so I passed to the front of the queue with the excuse I would miss the plane. Everything all right I thanked God I reached the plane on time.

Arrival in Calgary

I arrived about twenty minutes before the schedule time. I grabbed my luggage and I started looking for aiesec people. I walked, came back, walked again and then I’ve heard a voice calling my name. Oh yes, they had just arrived to pick me up!! Hugs, happiness, relaxation!! The weather was awesome!! Very warm and sunny! +10C!

First Lunch
They took me to the best place ever in Calgary: the Luciano’s restaurant. It’s a Italian/Canadian place. I ate a lot. I mean, I thought I had eaten a lot, but Canadians eat more, much more.
After that, I was really tired and I went to rest a bit. In the evening, we had a party to celebrate valentine’s day. At this party, which took place at the university, I could meet other trainees and the rest of the aiesecers.
Finally They took me to my temporary house until they settle a flat for me.

Valentine's day Party

The city is big. More than one million inhabitants. But imagine this population with buildings solely downtown, I would say around 200hundred. What I mean is that the city is totally spread out, flat, and everything is far away. It takes me an hour and twenty minutes to get to work.

Other than that, I’m enjoying my time here so far. However, I faced a very cold week in the last days: it ended up with –35C. Chances are, you may not feel a pinch in your legs after walking 10min or more. Sounds funny, but it’s terrible! By the way, I’m getting used to the cold, therefore in a few weeks I’ll be skiing at Kicking horse ski place! You bet your ass!! See next pictures…